Sequence/Scene
- Thread starter GenJerDan
- Start date
I will, but it's going to be wrong.
Sequence is going to be more like a structure chain of events within a single event or story? Like "Animated Sequence" = Still 1, still 2, still 1, still 3, still 2. In video games, a "Super Move" is accomplished by pressing a sequence of buttons. Down, down-forward, forward + Punch = Fireball.
That probably didn't help at all.
Sequence is going to be more like a structure chain of events within a single event or story? Like "Animated Sequence" = Still 1, still 2, still 1, still 3, still 2. In video games, a "Super Move" is accomplished by pressing a sequence of buttons. Down, down-forward, forward + Punch = Fireball.
That probably didn't help at all.
GenJerDan
Veteran
Nope. Different thing, I think.
I'm just trying to organize my outline/notes/ideas for a screenplay, using StoryView, and it has Sequence in the hierarchy.
Like this:
Act
Sequences
Scenes
Beats
So, a Sequence is a set of Scenes, I guess. But what does that make a Scene then?
The only thing I can think of is like the "chapters" on a DVD. But what makes someone divide their Act into Sequences? Just "turning points", but not so drastic as to constitute the change between acts?
I'm just trying to organize my outline/notes/ideas for a screenplay, using StoryView, and it has Sequence in the hierarchy.
Like this:
Act
Sequences
Scenes
Beats
So, a Sequence is a set of Scenes, I guess. But what does that make a Scene then?
The only thing I can think of is like the "chapters" on a DVD. But what makes someone divide their Act into Sequences? Just "turning points", but not so drastic as to constitute the change between acts?
GenJerDan
Veteran
I used to think so, but...
You can have a scene that starts in the bedroom, argues it's way downstairs, and then out the door onto the front lawn.
Three locations (arguably), who knows how many shots, and there could be cutaways inserted from yet another location/set of characters just to further screw with my understanding.
Maybe a Sequence is a major plot point, and the Scenes that make it up are minor ones? The Major might be the couple's decision to get a divorce, with fights, talks and cold silences serving as the minor ones?
Or maybe that's a horrible example, because it feels to me more like an Act division.
Grrrrrrr....
You can have a scene that starts in the bedroom, argues it's way downstairs, and then out the door onto the front lawn.
Three locations (arguably), who knows how many shots, and there could be cutaways inserted from yet another location/set of characters just to further screw with my understanding.
Maybe a Sequence is a major plot point, and the Scenes that make it up are minor ones? The Major might be the couple's decision to get a divorce, with fights, talks and cold silences serving as the minor ones?
Or maybe that's a horrible example, because it feels to me more like an Act division.
Grrrrrrr....
GenJerDan
Veteran
Never mind. I'm an idiot. The stupid program cmes with a set of examples. Duh.
For instance: Star Wars IV
Seq.1 C-3P0 & R2-D2 Take Plans to Tatooine
Seq.2 Captured & Sold by Jawas
Seq.3 Saved by Obi Wan Kenobi
Seq.4 Luke Chooses The Force
With Seq.1 starting with the opening titles (because of the backstory text) and ending with the scene in which ". . . Vader discusses the relative draw-backs to arresting Princess Leia with one of his Imperial advisors, a report comes that several escape pods jettisoned during the battle. Since no life forms were detected on the pods, Vader concludes that Leia put the plans onto a pod and ejected it. He orders the pod to be retrieved."
Etc and etc for the rest of the sequences.
So it does look like a Sequence is a set of scenes leading up to a major turning point in the story, but not so major that it's an act change.
For instance: Star Wars IV
Seq.1 C-3P0 & R2-D2 Take Plans to Tatooine
Seq.2 Captured & Sold by Jawas
Seq.3 Saved by Obi Wan Kenobi
Seq.4 Luke Chooses The Force
With Seq.1 starting with the opening titles (because of the backstory text) and ending with the scene in which ". . . Vader discusses the relative draw-backs to arresting Princess Leia with one of his Imperial advisors, a report comes that several escape pods jettisoned during the battle. Since no life forms were detected on the pods, Vader concludes that Leia put the plans onto a pod and ejected it. He orders the pod to be retrieved."
Etc and etc for the rest of the sequences.
So it does look like a Sequence is a set of scenes leading up to a major turning point in the story, but not so major that it's an act change.
EJ Pennypacker
Well-known member
I always consider a 'sequence' to be a 'sequence of scenes', like a car chase, rather than a 'scene', which is just one scene.
But this program could be using it's own take on that idea
How is StoryView BTW?
EJ
But this program could be using it's own take on that idea
How is StoryView BTW?
EJ
Larry Rutledge
Fest Master
GenJerDan said:
What you just described is a "sequence", or "series of scenes". A scene changes each time the location changes (each time you put a new slugline in the script). When you have multiple scenes (locations) that go together in a manner like you described, then it is a sequence.
GenJerDan
Veteran
EJ Pennypacker said:
The program itself seems very well made. Certainly functions as it's supposed to and is pretty straight-forward to use.
Whether or not it helps in writing...I don't know. I've never been one to do extensive outlining of anything, so this is an experiment for me.
Larry Rutledge
Fest Master
Oh, good clarification Blaine. I think we are thinking the same thing, but your clarification adds some important information.
It's not the "scene" change, but the "setup" change that identifies the sequence. Most of the time the "setup" change will occur at a "scene" change, but not necessarily.
It's not the "scene" change, but the "setup" change that identifies the sequence. Most of the time the "setup" change will occur at a "scene" change, but not necessarily.